A Cork charity shop is trying to save Private Ryan's memory - by returning his long-lost war medals to his family.

Workers at the Kealkill Charity Shop in a village outside Bantry were astonished when they found the First World War medals inside an old jacket.

The tattered garment had been earmarked for recycling when volunteer Steve Rosse found the medals which were awarded to a Private Patrick Ryan, who may have been from Co. Tipperary.

Treasurer of the shop Ed Smith passed the medals on to the Skibbereen Heritage Centre in the hopes they could shed more light on the situation.

Expert Kevin Tomlinson was called in and the medals were confirmed to be a Victory Medal and a 1914-15 Star.

Mr Tomlinson's research indicates that Private Ryan most likely joined up as a volunteer in 1914 and was involved in trench-digging during some of the bloodiest conflicts, including the Battle of Gallipoli in Turkey.

He was not a conscripted soldier as the 1914-15 Star medal was not awarded to conscripts.

It's also thought the brave Irishman may have served in the Balkans and Egypt.

He was a member of the 1st Battalion of the Munster Fusiliers and it's likely he was evacuated from Gallipoli back to Egypt in January 1916.

In March 1916, the regiment was shipped to Marseille and Private Ryan subsequently transferred to the Western Front where he saw active service in June 1916.